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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

5th-generation homesteader. Helping modern women live from scratch.

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Melissa Norris

Buttermilk ranch dressing in a Mason jar.

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (Probiotic)

Read moreHomemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (Probiotic)
A woman pruning an elderberry bush with loppers.

How to Prune Elderberry Bushes for Maximum Growth

Read moreHow to Prune Elderberry Bushes for Maximum Growth
jars of canned chicken on a towel on kitchen counter

How to Can Chicken (SAFE & Easy Raw Pack Method)

Read moreHow to Can Chicken (SAFE & Easy Raw Pack Method)
A woman's hands opening a freshly cooked bao bun.

EASIEST Homemade Bao Bun Recipe

Read moreEASIEST Homemade Bao Bun Recipe
Mozzarella cheese and whey separating out.

How to Make Whey in Four Easy Steps

Read moreHow to Make Whey in Four Easy Steps
A woman cutting an elderberry cutting from an elderberry tree.

Growing Elderberry from Cuttings

Read moreGrowing Elderberry from Cuttings
Jar of fermented lemons on a counter with a bag of citrus and sliced lemons on a plate

How to Store Lemons (For a Year!) – Fermented Lemons

Read moreHow to Store Lemons (For a Year!) – Fermented Lemons
A cow eating Brussel sprout stems.

Signs To Watch For With An Expecting Cow

Read moreSigns To Watch For With An Expecting Cow
two week old seedlings in egg cartons ready to be transplanted

Gardening in February (Garden Tasks by Month)

Read moreGardening in February (Garden Tasks by Month)
A colander with Brussel sprouts and carrots harvested from the garden.

Gardening in January (Garden Tasks by Month)

Read moreGardening in January (Garden Tasks by Month)
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A woman in the kitchen with jars of home canned food.

Howdy, I’m Melissa!

I’m so glad you’re here. This is the place for all of us who loved Little House when we were young and thought Laura was our best friend. It’s where we grow dinner in the backyard and think everything looks and tastes better when it comes from a Mason jar. Here, you’ll find my favorite from-scratch recipes, herbal remedies and tutorials, and all my gardening tips from my 20+ years of growing and raising our own food.

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My Most Popular Posts

Sourdough starter in a jar with a loaf of bread in the background.

How to Make a Sourdough Starter + Tips for Success

Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread (Beginner Friendly Recipe)

Homemade Pop Tarts From Scratch (Hand Pies)

A cooked whole roast chicken in a cast iron skillet.

Easy Oven Roasted Chicken Recipe (Crispy & Juicy)

A white plate with a helping of strawberry rhubarb dump cake and a fork. Text overlay says, "Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake Real Food Style: Homemade Cake Mix & No Jello".

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake without Jello & Homemade Cake Mix

Bacon wrapped asparagus on a white plate.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Easy Appetizer or Side Dish)

A stack of homemade graham crackers on a plate.

Easy Homemade Graham Crackers

Plated by Season: Home‑Cooked. Home‑Grown. On Your Table in 30 Minutes or Less.

75+ seasonal, from‑scratch recipes + a monthly harvest chart. Real meals. Minimal fuss.

Grab Your Copy ($20, Free Shipping)

Spring Preserving Recipes

A jar of pickled asparagus with spears on a plate.

Pickled Asparagus Recipe (Canned, Quick, or Refrigerator)

two jars of strawberry jam sitting on a tabletop with fresh strawberries around it.

Strawberry Jam Recipe without Pectin and Low Sugar

Jar of fermented lemons on a counter with a bag of citrus and sliced lemons on a plate

How to Store Lemons (For a Year!) – Fermented Lemons

A jar of fermented pickles sitting on an outdoor table.

Fermented Pickles Recipe|Easy Old-Fashioned Salt Brine Pickles

A basket full of strawberries.

How to Preserve Strawberries: Keep Those Berries Fresh!

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Melissa K. Norris

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  • About Melissa K. Norris — Modern Homesteading ExpertStart Here
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Articles

  • Gardening
  • Homesteading
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • DIY

Podcast

Why Your Food Preservation Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It Safely)

Feeding a Family on a Budget

Spring Meal Planning (Without the Overwhelm)

Why Dieting Stops Working After 40 (The Blood Sugar Loop Explained)

Books

  • Everything Worth Preserving
  • The Family Garden Planner
  • Handmade
  • The Made from Scratch Life
  • The Family Garden Plan

Education

  • Organic Gardening Workshop
  • Home Fruit Preservative Canning e-course
  • Home Canning With Confidence
  • Homemade Bread & Baking Class
  • Natural Homemade Bath and Beauty
  • Pioneering Today Academy


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